Long-fragment RNA inhibits hepatitis B virus gene replication and expression in HepG2.2.15 cells

Abstract

To evaluate the inhibitory effects of long antisense RNA on HBV replication in HepG2.2.15 cells. The coding region of HBV S gene was cloned into pTARGET vector in sense and antisense orientations and the recombinant plasmids were transfected into HepG2.2.15 cells which were divided into HBS2 (antisense RNA) group, HBS4 (sense RNA) group and control group. HBsAg and HBeAg in the culture supernate were detected by ELISA. The HBV DNA in the supernate was quantified by real-time PCR. After treatment, the levels of HBsAg in HepG2.2.15 cell supernatants of three groups were 0.621+/-0.027, 3.399+/-0.018 and 2.232+/-0.187 respectively; the levels of HBeAg were 0.749+/-0.019, 1.548+/-0.025 and 1.570+/-0.044 respectively and the levels of HBV DNA were 1.597+/-0.082, 3.381+/-0.297 and 3.610+/-0.063 respectively. The expressions of HBsAg and HBeAg and the HBV DNA level in HBS2 group were remarkably reduced as compared to the control (Z = -2.309, P value is less than 0.05); whereas the sense plasmid transfection (HBS4) did not affect HBeAg (Z = -0.866) and HBV DNA (Z = -1.155) levels in the culture supernate but slightly increased the HBsAg level (Z = -2.309). Antisense RNA might be a useful tool to repress HBV replication.